Methods: :
Experimental CNV was induced by laser photocoagulationin male 6 weeks Brown Norway rats. The rats received 1mg/kgpitavastatin (n=14) in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (0.5%CMC)or vehicle (0.5%CMC only, n=14) by mouth once daily for 1dayprior to laser–induced CNV, and continued for 14 days.Fluorescein angiography (FA) was performed 14 days after laserphotocoagulation and the formation of CNV was graded by CNVscore as follows: score 0, no staining; score 1, slightly leakage;score 2, moderately leakage; score3, strongly leakage. The CNVarea was evaluated by FITC–dextran angiography 14 daysafter laser photocoagulation. Histopathologic examination wasalso performed to analyze the thickness of the CNV.

Results: :
The CNV lesions in pitavastatin treated rats showedstatistically inhibition of fluorescein leakage by FA, as comparedwith vehicle treated rats (CNV score; 1.289±0.09 and1.886±0.12, P<0.05). The mean CNV area in pitavastatintreated rats was smaller than the area in vehicle treated ratsand there is a significant difference (29511±2853µm2 and 41235±2475µm2 , P<0.05). The thicknessof the CNV in pitavastatin treated rats was also decreased,as compared with vehicle treated rats.

Conclusions: :
Pitavastatin inhibits the experimental CNV in therat. Statin may have a therapeutic effect on age–relatedmacular disease.